Artwork
Love
Love is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pieter Feddes. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
‘Love’ is a print executed as an etching on laid paper by the Dutch artist Pieter Feddes in 1615. The work is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and exemplifies early‑17th‑century printmaking practices in the Netherlands.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents three intertwined figures amid a tangle of vines and branches. A woman cradles an infant, while a second child reaches toward her, creating a sense of intimacy and tension. The surrounding foliage and dense, swirling lines suggest an allegorical or moral narrative, typical of the period’s visual language for love and familial bonds.
Technique & Style
Such vigorous line work aligns with contemporary Dutch etching conventions that favored expressive, almost tactile surfaces.
Feddes employed fine, incisive lines to delineate the figures, contrasting sharply with the rough, textured background. The etching’s dense cross‑hatching and vigorous strokes generate a dramatic chiaroscuro effect, emphasizing the physicality of the bodies and the complexity of the surrounding vegetation. Such vigorous line work aligns with contemporary Dutch etching conventions that favored expressive, almost tactile surfaces.
History & Provenance
Created in 1615, the print has remained in the public domain through museum acquisition. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings as part of a broader collection of Dutch prints, reflecting the institution’s commitment to representing early modern European graphic art. No further ownership changes are recorded beyond its current custodianship.
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Artist & collection
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